How many ways can we use Dye Inks? Today I want to share with you how versatile these little gems are in our card making arsenal.
But first, I wanted to let you know that this post contains a ton of affiliate links (at no extra cost to you – just in case you decide to go shopping 😉) and it is part of a Hop celebrating a new release from Altenew and you can find all of the hop details in the link list below!
4 EASY Ways to Add Colour With Dye Inks!
There are so many ways to use dye inks that I would be here all day 🤣! So, I thought I would share a focus on some easy ways that you can add colour using dye inks. You can see my cards here, they are all quite different but use the same inks. Sugarplums and Nature’s Wonders…
Technique #1 – Ink Blended Background
Ink blending is an easy way to create your perfectly colour-matched background. Choose colours that will blend well together without making ‘mud’. And add extra depth at the edges of a card panel by deepening the colour or adding a darker shade.
PRO TIP: To get a smooth result, practice with different types of cardstock and brushes. For me, I get the best results using the Altenew Large Blending Brushes, but everyone is different.
I used Porcelain BetterPress cardstock which blended the dye inks beautifully. I added images from the Hummingbird Nectar Press Plates and coloured them with the Woodless Coloring Pencils.
BONUS IDEA: Did you know that you can colour directly over dye inks with wax based pencils such as these? It’s a great way to get a different finished look and it is easy to do.
Technique #2 – Layered Stamping
Want that beautifully coloured floral design on your project, but don’t like to colour… or you don’t have the time? Layered floral stamps such as these roses look like they have taken hours to create, but once the initial stamps are lined up it is easy to mass produce a bunch at once! And using the ink colour families takes the guesswork out of which colours to use. Simply follow the layering directions on the packet which usually flows from lightest to darkest. Another time save is having the coordinating dies (although these flowers would also be easy to fussy cut).
I framed this design with a little bit of gold, but this design would also look fabulous on an embossed background!
Technique #3 – Ink Smooshing
Watercolouring with dye inks doesn’t get any easier than this! Simply tap the ink pad onto a non-porous surface like a palette or even a plate. Spray a little tap water on top and use a piece of acetate to pick up the ink and ‘smoosh’ it onto your watercolour cardstock. Add as many layers and colours as you like.
PRO TIP: If you want the colours to mix keep adding/smooshing while the ink is still drying, otherwise wait for the ink to dry before adding more colour layers.
After the background is dry, you can stamp your choice of images. I used this Striking flower set and added a Bold Greeting. And you may notice that I did add a little something extra, I painted some portions of the image in gold.
Technique #4 – Easy Shading
Do you struggle lining up layering stamps? Then this technique is for you! Get the layered stamp look very easily by ink blending the layers through stencils. Typically these stencils are VERY easy to use and literally anyone can do this. This particular set also has a coordinating mini stamp set which adds extra detail, but this could also be added with a marker if you prefer.
I changed up the design of this stencil by colouring the flowers separately and then fussy cutting them out. So I was able to create a floral bouquet for the vase.
PRO TIP: Add extra depth by adding further shading with Detailed Ink Blending Brushes or with colouring Pencils.
Giveaway Prizes
$300 in total prizes! To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $100 gift certificate to 1 lucky winner and a $50 gift certificate to 4 winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog and/or each designer’s blog post on the blog hop list below by 12/19/2023 for a chance to win. Altenew will draw 5 random winners from the comments left on each stop of this blog hop and announce the winners on the Altenew Winners Page on 12/21/2023.
*The winners of the $100 gift certificate will be chosen from comments left on the Altenew blog.
Let’s Hop
I hope you are inspired to stretch some Dye Inks yourself! Crafty Hugs,
Other Supplies: SHOP the New RELEASE HERE
Altenew Woodless Coloring Pencils – White / Peach Perfect / Cosmic Berry / Yellow Ochre / Maple Yellow / Dew Drops / Galactic Stream / Moss / Limeade.
Prismacolor Pencils – Warm Grey 20% / Cool Grey 70% / Slate Grey / White.
Must Have Gel Pen – White
Altenew Metallic Watercolors – Gold Pearl Metallic
 Neenah Solar 110 AMZ | SSS | AUZ |  Neenah Solar 80 AMZ | SSS | AUZ |  Porcelain Cotton Card Panels 118lb SSS | SB |  Watercolor Paper Pad ALT |
 Poppy Heat resistant Acetate AMZ |  Brushed Gold ALT | SSS |  Hummingbird Nectare Press Plate ALT |  Fancy Enjoy Die ALT | SSS |
 Antique Roses Bundle ALT |  Antique Roses ALT |  Antique Roses Die ALT |  Fine Frames Cover Die ALT | SSS |
 Sweet Bouquet ALT | SSS |  Striking Flowers Bundle ALT | SSS |  Bold Greetings Die ALT |  Dainty Roses ALT |
 Versatile Vases 2 ALT |  Versatile Vases 2 Stencil ALT |  Circled Sentiments ALT |  Obsidian ALT | SSS | AUZ |
 Sugarplums Ink Set ALT |  Pale Mauve ALT |  Amethyst ALT |  Grape Agate ALT |
 Plum ALT |  Nature’s Wonders Ink Set ALT |  Misty Moor ALT |  Marshland ALT |
 Sea Forest ALT |  Mangrove Root ALT |  SIlver Sage ALT | SSS |  Eucalyptus ALT | SSS |
 Misty Morning ALT |  BetterPress Black SSS | SB |  Metallic Watercolors ALT | SSS |  Ink Blending Tool ALT | SSS | AUZ |
 Mini Blending Brush Set ALT | SSS | AUZ |  Fine Watercolor Brushes ALT | SSS | AUZ |  Faber Castell – Water Cup SSS | OTH |  Medium Palette ALT | SSS |
 Prismacolor Pencils AMZ | SSS |  Gel Pen ALT | SSS |  Woodless Coloring Pencils ALT | SSS | AUZ |  WOW Heat Tool AMZ | SSS | AUZ |
 Tweezers ALT | SSS | AUZ |  Stampwheel Square Grid Flip Plate ALT |  Stampwheel ALT | SSS | AUZ |  Mini Blossom ALT |
 Score Board ALT | SSS | AUZ |  Sticky Grid Mat ALT | SSS | AUZ | Sticky Grid Mat Ultra ALT |  Cutting Mat ALT | SSS |
 Paper Trimmer AMZ | SSS |  Bigshot SSS |  BetterPress SB AMZ | SSS | AUZ | OTH | SB |  Gemini Junior SSS |
 Satin Masking Tape ALT | SSS | AUZ |  Bearly Art Glue SSS | AUZ |  Zig Chisel Glue Pen SSS | AUZ |  Glue Tape ALT | SSS | AUZ |
 1/2″ Ultra Sticky Tape ALT | SSS | AUZ |  Foam Tape ALT | SSS | AUZ |
Therese,
The hummingbird card is my favorite. Love using those colors together, did not imagine blending the two together. Brilliant and beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
Nancy Haugen
It was such fun to play with this colour combo, I too enjoyed seeing them together!
Beautiful cards. First and last are my favouritesâ¤ï¸
Thank you Dee x
Therese, your cards are stunning! I really appreciate the tips you offered. I’ve never heard of smooshing until recently but now I actually know what it means LOL I am definitely going to give that a try Today! Thanks for sharing your wonderful cards!
Hope you have fun ‘smooshing’ 😉 Carrianne! I have a video here sharing the technique if you want to ‘see it’ in action https://youtu.be/pNe4LoeF4tU?si=IWyqqcERPw4gOOJW
Therese, I adore the ink colors you’ve chosen today! Among my favorites – all with that dusty ‘grey-ed down’ tone! Don’t even get me started on that darling Hummingbird! OH! is he ever a cutie!
Beautiful cards and wonderful ways to use dye inks!
=]
Mwah! Thank you my beautiful friend!
Love your cards. Love how you used the gold to highlight!!!
Thank you so much!
Love the colors you have chosen they are beautiful, I am always looking for inspiration and I’m going to try your technique. The hummingbird card is just amazing. Thank you
Thank you Carmen, I hope you have fun creating!
I love the colors you used on your cards! The hummingbird design is my favorite!
So glad you like them Lauryne!
Gorgeous sugar plum colors ðŸ˜
I agree Deborah, it’s one of my fave purple sets!
What a fabulous array of the new December products. Love seeing the new colors in action!
Thank you Valerie!
Very pretty cards. I think the ‘hi’ card is my favourite, especially with that little extra touch of gold!
Thank you Tammy!
I LOVE the colors! The flowers are gorgeous!!!
4 beautiful ideas with such gorgeous color combos. You always inspire me, Therese.
Great ideas! I wouldn’t have thought to blend these colours, use coloured pencils or add the gold.
Your cards are beautiful! I just love your color palette!
Beautiful Therese – thanks for all the techniques and tips!
Each one is as pretty as the next, Therese! I’m loving all of those sugar plum blooms!
Amazing techniques! Your cards are stunning.
I’m just blown away with the beauty of these cards.
Love the colours and the elements that you’ve used here.
I love the ink smushing technique so much.
cheers
Hola, Therese! Your cards are spectacular! Your Joy card is like WOW especially the color blended background! Blew my socks off! ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ You’re awesome, lady!
Thank you my friend x
I love the watercolor look of the Hi card. Thank you for the tip on ink smooshing, I had never heard of that before.
Hope you have fun with this technique!
Oh no! I think I’ve fallen for the Fresh Dye Ink set “Sugar Plumsâ€!!!
Love the hummingbird card
Beautiful cards, great techniques. Smooshing is my favorite way to play with ink.
Beautiful releases in this set. I have my eyes set on a few of them
I love all of the projects you showcased for the new inks. Lots to choose from for technique and beautiful colors to use to! No favorite here either… Each one is just as beautiful!
Thank you so very much Jami!
Therese, your cards are amazing! What an unusual color combo that works beautifully together!
Enjoy is incredible!!!!! I love the graduated colors!
These cards are gorgeous!
Beautiful job on all of your cards. I really love the colors. Need these on my list. tyfs 🙂
Thank you so much!
Beautiful ink blended card!
WOW ! So captivating, the detail you add to your work is amazing. Great tips too, I’ve them down! Great selection dazzling makes xx
You create beautiful cards that really inspire me… The new ink colors are not my usual colors that I normally would use, but really loving the combinations. Very refreshing and eye opening…
Love your cards. The new colors are not colors I would use, but it is so refreshing and inspiring me to try… I am sure the same card in colors I would normally use would give a very different look. Also going to try some of the techniques you have used… Thank you for sharing your beautiful cards.
WOW…..beautiful cards. I love the purple.
The Sugarplums Ink Set is so nice! amazing cards
Great look at the color sets. Nice projects shared.
I have to say the ink smooshing is my favorite. Beautiful!
All 4 techniques are fantastic Therese! I must say that my favorite card today is the first one, I need to get that BP plate out of the bag! I agree with you, AN big ink blending brushes work wonderfully for ink blending backgrounds. Thanks for the inspiration!
Awesome designs and color combos! Beautiful cards!
Great tips and fab cards!
Thank you Vicki